Scoring: Cameron Bennington (10.8) Rebounding: Bennington (4.4) Assists: Bennington (1.8) Steals: Bennington (1.1) Offensive average: 58.9 Defensive average: 52.6 Twin Lakes was a last-second shot away from forcing overtime against Western and possibly winning the school’s first sectional championship since 2005. Achieving that elusive goal this season won’t be easy with a team full of “mid-rangers,” as coach Kent Adams refers to his players who mostly stand between 6-foot and 6-2. Other than guard Cameron Bennington, the Indians have no one returning who averaged more than 4 points or 4 rebounds per game. But Bennington believes the Indians could surprise because of their guards. “I think we’re really deep in guard play,” he said. “We lost a good group of seniors, but I feel like most them helped us out more on the inside than at guard, aside from Brian (Moore). I think it’s going to be a strength for us all year. We have a lot of shooters and ballhandlers.”

Pos.

Ht.

Yr.

3 Tanner Pritts

G

5-9

Jr.

5 Cody DeBoy

F

6-3

Jr.

10 Mac Gardiner

F

6-1

Sr.

11 Joe Jones

G

6-0

Sr.

13 Derek Napier

F

6-2

Jr.

20 Levi Pritts

G

6-0

Jr.

23 Jared Thayer

G

5-11

Jr.

25 Jordan Crouch

F

6-2

Jr.

31 C. Bennington

G

6-2

Jr.

33 Tyler Reddington

G

6-1

Jr.

40 Shawn Rhymer

C

6-6

Sr.

44 Zach Diener

F

6-2

Sr.

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On guard

Once again, the backcourt will be a strength for the Indians despite the graduation losses of Brian Moore and Jordan Crabb.

Cameron Bennington begins his third varsity season as the de facto leader on the court, with which the 6-foot-2 junior is coming to terms.

“It’s a little weird thinking now I’m the older one because freshman year and sophomore year I just followed in the footsteps of the other guys,” Bennington said. “They laid the foundation for us and now we’re here. Whether you’re the leader or coming off the bench, you’re still playing basketball and you have to go out there and have fun.”

Coach Kent Adams believes Bennington is ready to lead a corps of guards that includes Tyler Reddington, Levi Pritts and Tanner Pritts.

“He’s a good leader, he’s settled, he’s balanced,” Adams said. “He’s not overly anxious. Pressure doesn’t bother him that much. He’s just someone whom the kids get along with very well and respect.”

Front line

Mac Gardiner, a 6-1 senior, is one of just four seniors on the roster and the only one of the foursome with extensive varsity experience.

Classmate Shawn Rhymer is the Indians’ tallest player at 6-6, but only one other Twin Lakes player stands taller than 6-2, and that’s 6-3 junior letterwinner Cody DeBoy.

Key newcomers

The most important newcomer is a familiar face.

Zach Diener, a 6-2 senior, returned to the team this fall after taking a couple of seasons off.

“He lends some physicality for us, a really good athlete,” Adams said.

Junior Tanner Pritts moves up from the junior varsity. “He had a really good summer and is working very hard right now,” Adams said.

Outlook

Adams believes his team is ready to continue the momentum established by the departed senior class that won 27 games in two seasons.

“I feel like we have a lot of kids who played last year in complimentary roles to our senior class,” Adams said. “They saw what it took to be successful. They meshed very well with them. I think now they’re ready to step up into the roles and perform.”

Bennington, for one, says he’s ready to accept the challenge.

“I feel like we should be very competitive against whoever we play,” he said. “I don’t think we should ever come into a game and have anyone doubt us.”

Adams doesn’t like to set victory goals, but he does have one expectation he believes can be achieved.

“If we get better every game, continue to play hard every game and work well together, that’s all we can ask for,” Adams said.